Holster

ABSTRACT

A holster designed for military or law enforcement use, particularly to be worn on either a wide or narrow web or leather belt. The holster includes dual belt loops on both sides of the body whereby the holster may be worn on the left or right side of the user in either a straight or crossed draw configuration. The flap is secured by removable and swivelable fasteners on both sides of the holster whereby the flap may be opened from either the left or right side in conventional flap release manner and also the holster may be opened by pivoting or swiveling the flap forward about both the swivel fasteners. The belt loops on both sides of the holster are positioned at about trigger level whereby the weapon is balanced and does not flop when the wearer walks or runs.

United States Patent Bianchi [54] HOLSTER [72] Inventor: John E. Bianchi, c/o John E].

Wagner, Attorney at Law 1041 E. st Green St., Suite 202, Pasadena, Calif. 91 106 [22] Filed: July 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 165,257

[52] [1.8. CI. ..224/2 B [5|] Int. Cl ..F4lc 33/02 [58] Field of Search ..224/2 B, 2 D, 2 A, 2 C, 2 E, 224/2 F [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 668,382 2/ 1901 Martin ..224/2 B 3,583,612 6/1971 Theodore ..224/2 B 3,252,638 5/1966 Rolston et a1. ..224/2 B Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Jerald M. Forsberg AttameyJohn E. Wagner [57] ABSTRACT A holster designed for military or law enforcement use, particularly to be worn on either a wide or narrow web or leather belt. The holster includes dual belt loops on both sides of the body whereby the holster may be worn on the left or right side of the user in either a straight or crossed draw configuration. The flap is secured by removable and swivelable fasteners on both sides of the holster whereby the flap may be opened from either the left or right side in conventional flap release manner and also the holster may be opened by pivoting or swiveling the flap forward about both the swivel fasteners.

The belt loops on both sides of the holster are positioned at about trigger level whereby the weapon is balanced and does not flop when the wearer walks or 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures HOLSTER BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE The conventional belt worn holster sold particularly for use with the .45 caliber Colt automatic weapon has changed little over the last 60 years.

Basically, the conventional holster involves the body and stitched flap with a snap fastener and openings on the under or back side of the holster to receive hooks to support the holster from a military belt. Leather thongs or tie downs are secured to the bottom of the holster. This holster is unusable for left handed shooters and is extremely unhandy for cross draw wearing. The weapon rides low and flops whenever the wearer walks or runs despite the tie down.

In the past, holsters have been designed for alternate wearing on the left or right side. Typically, these holsters involved removing and replacing the holster body from a supporting frame or attachment portion or through the use of an internal flap within the body of the holster which is changed from one side to the other side of the weapon. The prior art also includes some pivoting holster bodies or flaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing prior art in mind, I have invented a new improved holster employing dual belt loops on each side of the body. The first set of belt loops are designed to receive a belt of the one size, for example, up to 2 inches in width, and is preferably formed from a single piece of U-shaped leather extending around the exterior of the body stitched at the base of the U and at the top of the U-legs to define two belt loops, one on either side of the body. The second or outer belt loops are of greater width and positioned directly over the inner first belt loops with the top stitched to the body of the holster and the bottom secured by removable fasteners to afford mounting of the holster on a wide belt by unsecuring the base or the bottom of the second outer belt loop and slipping the holster into the correct longitudinal position on the belt and thereafter refastening the outer belt loop. In both cases the inner and outer belt loops are located at approximately trigger level to provide balance support for the weapon in the holster. The outer belt loop forming member also provides a protective cover for the rear sight of the weapon.

The holster includes a flap which is secured to the sides of the body by rotatable removable fasteners whereby the flap is totally removable from the holster,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A further understanding of the invention may be had from the detailed description following and by reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holster in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a holster of Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the holster of Fig. l with the flap in a raised condition and the butt of a weapon exposed;

FIG. 4 isa front view of the holster in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the holster of Fig. l with the flap raised on the right hand side of the holster;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the holster of Fig. l with the flap raised on the left hand side of the holster;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the holster of this invention worn on the left hand side of the user wearing a wide belt; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the same holster worn in a cross draw position on the right hip of the user wearing a narrow belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Now referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a holster 10 in accordance with this invention may be seen as including a body portion 11 formed from a folded stitched piece of leather or leather-like material defining a pocket or recess 12 for receiving the barrel and slide of a hand gun, for example, the .45 caliber military style weapon or other weapon of similar size and configuration. The welt is stitched closed at the bottom end and partially up the rear side by double stitching 13. A hand gun carried in the holster is removable through the opening 12 in accordance with conventional holster usage. The holster 10 includes an openable-swivelableremovable flap 14 which is secured to the holster by a pair of snap fasteners 15 and 16, both of which appear in Fig. 2. These snap fasteners 15 and 16 are positioned directly opposite each other on opposite sides of the holster body and are rotatable or swivelable thereby defining an axis of rotation for the flap 14. The snap fasteners 15 and 16 also have the characteristic of being removable by a lifting pressure from one direction only, to wit, lifting upward by the tip portion 17 of the flap 14. A comparable flap portion 18, best seen in Fig. 2 serves to release the snap fastener 16.

The flap l4 defines a tunnel like covering for the handle and hammer of the hand gun when in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The holster of Fig. 1 also includes four belt loops, two of which are located on each side of the body with the inner belt loop 20 stitched to the body 11 at both top and bottom. The top stitch line 21 appears approximately at the base of the finger guard of the hand gun when in place as apparent in Fig. 3 and the bottom stitch line 22 appears approximately at the base of the opening 12.

Overlying the flap 20 is an outer flap 23 which is likewise held to the body by the stitch line 21 at the top and removably secured to the body by a pair of snap fasteners 24 and 25. The inner belt loop 20 defines a belt opening designed particularly for leather or other belts of normal to 2 inch width while the outer belt loop 23 defines an opening suitable to receive a wider and thicker belt such as a conventional military web pistol belt. Since the web pistol belt is difficult to thread through a belt loop because of its size and ribbed character and includes grommets which interfere with threading, the outer belt loops 23 and its corresponding 26 loops on the opposite side of the holster of this invention are demountable to snap open and be placed over the web belt wherever required.

left hand side of the holster of Fig. 2 of course remains in place being stitched in the same manner as described in connection with belt loop 20.

Now referring to Fig. 3, the holster of Fig. 1 is shown with a hand gun 130 in place in the holster and the flap 14 in its swiveled position thereby exposing the hand grip 13 and hammer 132 of the weapon. Employing this type of swivel-opening, the holster is ready for use in either left hand or right hand draw or left or right hand cross draw.

It is also apparent in Fig. 3 that the body 11 of the holster extends upward above the hammer protecting the rear sight at all times whether the flap is in a normal closed, swiveled or flap opened position as will be apparent in connection with the later figures.

One further advantage of the invention is possible employing features disclosed in'Fig. 3. Note that the rear of the body 11 is closed by a thick welt l9 defining a ledge 19a at the top. This thick welt of approximately one forth inch in width allows the .45 caliber automatic weapon to be carried with the chamber empty and by partially drawing the weapon from the holster, temporarily resting the slide on the ledge, reinserting the weapon in its normal place. This retracts the slide, locks the hammer and feeds a live round into the chamber all with one hand.

The holster of this invention with all demountable or openable features released may be seen in FIG. 4 if the holster is viewed from the front. The body 11, particularly the portion enclosing the muzzle, appears extending below the outer flaps 23 and 26 and the inner flaps and 27. The inner flaps 20 and 27 in actuality are the upstanding leg portions of a U-shaped piece of leather 30 with the base of the U stitched around the front and the sides of the holster. Secured to opposite side of the base of member 20 are the mating fasteners a and 32a for the snap fasteners 25 and 32, and the outer flaps 23 and 26. Additional snap fasteners 24 and 33 aid in securing the flaps 23 and 26. As indicated above, the upper and lower ends of the belt loops 20 and 27 are secured to the body 1 l by stitching as shown in Fig. 3.

The outer flaps 23 and 26 are secured to the body by the same stitched line 21 holding the inner flaps 20 and 27. Therefore, the upper support point for the holster on both sides and by both outer and inner belt loops is at the same level. Therefore, the user will carry the weapon at the same height, regardless of whether he is wearing a narrow or wide belt. The width of the belt loop formed by the outer flaps 23 and 26 is greater than that of the inner flaps 20 and 27 by reason of the location of the snap fasteners 25a and 32a in the base of the U of member 30. Very typically, the snap fasteners are approximately one half inch below a stitched line 34 defining the lower limit of the inner belt loop. The outer belt loops 23 and 26 are each secured by two fasteners which have been found to hold the holster securely on the users belt, despite extremely rough maneuvers. The snap fasteners 25 and 32 are preferably single direction release fasteners of the same type used on the flap 14. Such single direction fasteners are known as Pull the Dot fasteners of Dot Fastener Division, United Car Corporation of Cambridge, Mass.

A single piece of leather 35 of the inverted U-shape defines not only the outer flaps 23 and 26 but also provides a second thickness of leather reinforcing the body 11 in the uppermost or hammer region of the holster. This single piece of leather 35 also in cooperation with the body 11 defines a protected sight recess in the holster as is better seen Figs. 5 and 6.

The piece 35 also includes additional stitched line 36 securing the piece 35 to the body 11 and in the side portion, approximately on a vertical center line of each side, there are mating fasteners 15a and 16a for the snap fasteners 15 and 16 attached to the flap 14. These fasteners are preferably single direction release fasteners releasable by a lifting pressure on the points 17 and 18, similar to those described above in connection with Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a non-operational view showing the flap 14 removed and outer belt loops 23 and 26 in open condition. A more typical view of the holster of this invention appears in Fig. 5 with the flap 14 released on its right side while secured-firmly to the holster by fastener 16. When lifted by tip 17 as shown in Fig. 5, the fastener 16 will not release. Therefore, the holster secures the flap as well as a conventional stitched flap.

Figure 5 illustrates the configuration of body 11 in the region of the rear sight and hammer of a weapon carried in the holster. The body 11 includes a notch 40 which is designed to receive adjustable as well as fixed rear sight weapons. The rear sight of a weapon, when in the holster, is protected by the extension of the piece 35 over the recess 40. Therefore, the outer belt loop member 35 provides an additional side protection function as well.

Figure 6 shows the identical holster of Figure 5 in this case with fastener 16 when released by the application of a lifting pressure at point 18. Fastener 15 is in place and is as effective as a stitched connection. No modification of the holster isrequired whatsoever to change from left to right hand or from regular or cross draw mounting. In certain cases when the holster is desired to be used with no protective flap, it is accomplished, as is apparent form Figs. 5 and 6, merely by lifting the secured end of the flap at its respective point 18 in Fig. 5, or point 17 in Fig. 6.

The normal conventional method of wearing the holster of this invention is illustrated in Fig. 7 on a wide belt 50 employing the outer loop to secure the holster to the belt. It should be noted in Fig. 7, the holster is mounted for a left hander, a feature which has heretofore been difficult to achieve. Also, note in Fig. 7, that the holster rides well above the hip of the wearer and with the center of gravity of the weapon approximately at the belt loop therefore there is no tendency for the weapon to flop when the wearer runs or goes through other physical distortions which may be encountered in military service. Therefore, the tie down found in conventional holsters for this type of weapon is unnecessary. The point of attachment of the-holster to the gun belt is at the trigger level.

As Fig. 7 illustrates, the holster may be used readily for left-handers and Fig. 8 shows the same holster for the same weapon in a cross draw position. The holster in this caseis mounted on a conventional leather belt 50 using the narrower or inside belt loop 20 of Fig. 1 through 4 but unshown in Fig. 8. The flap 14 in this case is shown in an elevated position having been rotated about the fasteners 15 and 16, one of which appears in Fig. 8. therefore, the holster allows not only cross draw for left-hand or right-hand use but also allows the flap to be opened merely by pressure of the hand while grasping the grip. This arrangement allows faster drawing of the weapon. The flop 14 is pivoted about the fasteners and 16 remain in either the lower (Figure 7) position or raised (Figure 8) position without flopping, since the fasteners 15 and 16 are so positioned on the side of the body because of slight interference between the flap l4 and the upper end of the member 35 of FIGS. 4 through 6 while being rotated. When either is in lower or raised positions, the flap 14 is supported solely by the fasteners 15 and 16. When in an intermediate position, the underside of flap l4 rubs against the upper extremity of the piece 35 sufficiently to prevent the flap from inadvertently moving from open to close. To control the amount of frictional engagement between the flap and the piece 35, the piece 35 is contoured with a slight notch 52 which appears in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

From the foregoing description it may be seen that I have designed a holster which provides flexible usage heretofore unavailable in any single holster. It may be worn left side normal, right side normal, left side cross draw, right side cross draw on a wide or narrow belt and may be opened by flap lifting from either side or by flap rotation. It may be worn without the flap if desired. It employs in addition to the body a single piece of leather and not only defines an additional set of belt loops, but provides side protection and a base for pivoting the flap and for restraining unwanted rotation of the flap. All of the foregoing modes of operation are treated with no modification of the holsters by user.

The above-described embodiments of this invention are merely descriptive of its principles an are not to be considered limiting. The scope of this invention instead shall be determined from the scope of the following claims, including their equivalents.

What is claimed is:

l. A holster for a hand gun comprising a body of leather-like material defining a recess for holding the barrel of a hand gun, a first member of leather-like material overlying said body and extending over portions of both sides of said body and defining belt loops between said member and said body on each side of said body;

secured thereto;

said second member defining a second belt loop on each side of said body overlying first belt loop on each side of said body.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first member is permanently secured to the exterior of said body whereby the first pair of belt loops are permanently a part of said holster.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second member includes portions removably securable to said body whereby the second set of belt loops may be opened at one side to receive a belt.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first member is a U-shaped piece of leather-like material with the le portions of the U- shaped member each defining a e t loop on opposite sides of the body of said holster.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein second member is a U-shaped piece of leatherlike material secured in an inverted position with the base of the U permanently secured to said body and the ends of the legs of the U demountably secured to said body wherein the belt loops formed by the legs of the Us and the belt loops may be opened by detaching the ends of the U-legs.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 including flap means removably secured to the upper portion of said holster.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said flap means is secured to said holster by rotatable fastener means on opposite sides of said body whereby said flap may be pivoted forward to expose the butt of a hand gun in a holster.

8. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means comprises snap fasteners openable in a single direction and said flap means includes an exa second member of leather-like material overlying tension for grasping in said releasing direction.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second member includes a portion extending into frictional engagement with the underside of said flap when said flap is rotated into an intermediate position whereby said second member inhibits unintended movement of said flap from a closed to open position. v

10. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body member includes the sight recess at the upper end thereof and said second member extends over said recess to provide a protective sight cover. 

1. A holster for a hand gun comprising a body of leather-like material defining a recess for holding the barrel of a hand gun, a first member of leather-like material overlying said body and extending over portions of both sides of said body and defining belt loops between said member and said body on each side of said body; a second member of leather-like material overlying said first member extending over the exterior of said first member on both sides of said body and secured thereto; said second member defining a second belt loop on each side of said body overlying first belt loop on each side of said body.
 2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first member is permanently secured to the exterior of said body whereby the first pair of belt loops are permanently a part of said holster.
 3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second member includes portions removably securable to said body whereby the second set of belt loops may be opened at one side to receive a belt.
 4. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first member is a U-shaped piece of leather-like material with the leg portions of the U-shaped member each defining a belt loop on opposite sides of the body of said holster.
 5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein second member is a U-shaped piece of leather-like material secured in an inverted position with the base of the U permanently secured to said body and the ends of the legs of the U demountably secured to said body wherein the belt loops formed by the legs of the U''s and the belt loops may be opened by detaching the ends of the U-legs.
 6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 including flap means removably secured to the upper portion of said holster.
 7. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said flap means is secured to said holster by rotatable fastener means on opposite sides of said body whereby said flap may be pivoted forward to expose the butt of a hand gun in a holster.
 8. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means comprises snap fasteners openable in a single direction and said flap means includes an extension for grasping in said releasing direction.
 9. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second member includes a portion extending into frictional engagement with the underside of said flap when said flap is rotated into an intermediate position whereby said second member inhibits unintended movement of said flap from a closed to open position.
 10. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said body member includes the sight recess at the upper end thereof and said second member extends over said recess to provide a protective sight cover. 